Quick Answer: When learning what to pray for the kingdom, focus on seven biblical themes: (1) God’s will being done on earth, (2) the spread of the gospel, (3) laborers for the harvest, (4) the salvation of the lost, (5) justice and righteousness, (6) unity in the church, and (7) Christ’s return. Jesus himself modeled this in the Lord’s Prayer: “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).
Jesus placed kingdom prayer at the very center of Christian devotion. When his disciples asked him to teach them to pray, the second petition he gave was “Your kingdom come” (Matthew 6:10). Understanding what to pray for the kingdom is essential for every believer who wants to align with God’s mission.
Why Praying for the Kingdom Matters
Jesus placed kingdom prayer at the very center of Christian devotion. When his disciples asked him to teach them to pray, the second petition he gave was “Your kingdom come” (Matthew 6:10). This wasn’t an afterthought. It was a priority.
Praying for the kingdom means aligning your heart with God’s redemptive purposes on earth. It shifts prayer from a list of personal requests to a partnership with God’s mission. As theologian N.T. Wright observes, kingdom prayer is “the prayer of the servants who know they are working with their Master.”
Before diving into specific prayers, remember: the kingdom of God is both present and future. It broke into history through Christ’s ministry (Luke 17:21) and awaits full consummation at his return (Revelation 11:15). Your prayers cover both realities.
“Below are seven biblical answers to the question of what to pray for the kingdom, each grounded in scripture and paired with a practical example.”
What to Pray for the Kingdom: 7 Biblical Focus Areas
1. Pray That God’s Will Be Done on Earth
Scripture: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10, NIV)
This is the foundation of all kingdom prayer. When you pray for God’s will, you’re asking heaven’s reality to invade earth’s brokenness. That God’s justice, mercy, and holiness would visibly shape families, workplaces, and nations.
Sample prayer:
“Father, may your perfect will be accomplished in my city today. Where there is confusion, bring your order. Where there is rebellion, bring your reign.”
2. Pray for the Spread of the Gospel
Scripture: “Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us, that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored.” (2 Thessalonians 3:1)
Paul repeatedly asked churches to pray for gospel advance. The kingdom grows as the good news reaches new hearts, new homes, and new nations.
Practical focus: Pray for missionaries, Bible translators, persecuted believers, and unreached people groups. Organizations like the Joshua Project publish updated lists of the least-reached peoples on earth.
3. Pray for Laborers for the Harvest
Scripture: “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9:37–38)
This is one of the few times Jesus specifically commanded his followers what to pray. The kingdom needs pastors, evangelists, teachers, and everyday Christians willing to share their faith.
Sample prayer:
“Lord of the harvest, raise up bold and humble workers in this generation. Call the young. Renew the weary. Send us out.”
4. Pray for the Salvation of the Lost
Scripture: “This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3–4)
Kingdom prayer is deeply personal when you pray for specific people by name. Family members, coworkers, neighbors. Asking God to open their hearts to Christ.
Try this: Keep a list of 5 people you’re praying to come to faith. Update it as God works.
5. Pray for Justice and Righteousness
Scripture: “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5:24)
The kingdom is a realm of justice. Praying for the kingdom means interceding for the oppressed, the poor, the trafficked, the unborn, and the persecuted. It also means asking God to raise up righteous leaders in government, business, and the church.
6. Pray for Unity in the Church
Scripture: “I pray that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you… so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:21)
Jesus’s longest recorded prayer focused on the unity of his people. Division in the church weakens the kingdom’s witness. Pray for reconciliation between denominations, healing of church splits, and love among believers who disagree.
7. Pray for Christ’s Return
Scripture: “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” (Revelation 22:20)
The final prayer of the Bible is a kingdom prayer. Every longing for justice to be complete, for suffering to end, for creation to be renewed. All of it culminates in the return of the King.
Sample prayer:
“Maranatha. Come, Lord Jesus. Make all things new.”
Once you know what to pray for the kingdom, the next challenge is building a rhythm. If you’re not sure how to begin, use this five-minute daily template:
How to Structure Kingdom Prayer: A Simple Framework
If you’re not sure how to begin, use this five-minute daily template:
| Minute | Focus | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adore God as King | “You reign over all things.” |
| 2 | Align with his will | “Your kingdom come in my life today.” |
| 3 | Advance the gospel | “Send workers. Save the lost.” |
| 4 | Ask for justice and unity | “Bring righteousness to my nation and peace to your church.” |
| 5 | Await his return | “Come quickly, Lord Jesus.” |
Common Mistakes When Praying for the Kingdom
- Making it too abstract. Pray for specific nations, specific people, specific injustices, not just “the world.”
- Forgetting your own heart. Kingdom prayer starts with your surrender: “Your kingdom come in me.”
- Praying only for future return. The kingdom is also present. Pray for God’s rule to break in today.
- Skipping intercession for enemies. Jesus taught us to pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). This is kingdom work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know what to pray for the kingdom on a daily basis?
Start with the seven areas listed above and rotate through them across the week. Daily kingdom prayer doesn’t need to be long. Even one minute of focused intercession using biblical themes is powerful.
Is praying for the kingdom the same as praying for revival?
They overlap but aren’t identical. Revival focuses on renewed spiritual life within the church. Kingdom prayer is broader. It includes revival but also encompasses justice, missions, Christ’s return, and God’s rule over every sphere of life.
How often should I pray for the kingdom?
Jesus placed it in the model prayer he gave for daily use, so daily kingdom prayer is a reasonable rhythm. Many Christians also set aside longer weekly or monthly times for focused intercession for missions and the persecuted church.
Can I pray for the kingdom in my own words?
Absolutely. The Lord’s Prayer is a model, not a script. Speak from your heart, using the biblical themes above as a guide.
Final Thought
Learning what to pray for the kingdom is one of the most powerful shifts you can make in your prayer life. It moves you from consumer to co-worker with Christ. Start today with one line, “Your kingdom come, your will be done”, and let the Spirit expand it from there.
“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” — Matthew 6:33